Shankutala and Suma
A Kalagoudar are two such entrepreneurs who, while transforming their own
lives, are also becoming catalysts for change within their communities. Their
journeys highlight the transformative power of women’s entrepreneurship and the
crucial role Visa’s program ‘Empowering Women Entrepreneurs (EWE)‘ is playing.

Empowering
Communities Through Job Creation

Shankutala, a 36-year-old
resident of Gilaula, a small town in Shravasti District, Uttar Pradesh,
embarked on her entrepreneurial journey about five months ago with ‘Shankutala
Tailor Master,’ a business in tailoring machines. Community norms in these
regions discourage women from engaging in economic activities, however,
Shankutala was able to overcome these obstacles using the financial literacy training
provided by the Empowering Women Entrepreneurs (EWE) project by Visa and United
Way Mumbai, which has already mobilised and educated 8,000+ beneficiaries until
now. Visa’s efforts in identifying and addressing the needs of women
entrepreneurs nationwide, by offering them educational resources, financial
literacy training, and mentorship support, exemplify a larger commitment to
enabling financial inclusion and community empowerment.

With the support
of Visa and United Way Mumbai,
Shankutala was also able to extend a helping hand to Rekha, a woman within her
community, when her husband was struggling with a critical illness.
Shankutala’s role as a mentor and employer speaks about her potential to
empower more young women.

Familial bonds lie
at the heart of 25-year-old Suma A. Kalagoudar’s entrepreneurial journey. Suma
started her bangles business in the picturesque village of Mugad in Dharwad,
Karnataka. Her story is distinguished by the symphony of family and
entrepreneurship that thrives in her household. Her daughter recently joined
the business, and together they bring energy and innovation to the enterprise.
Visa and United Way Mumbai are committed to nurturing the enduring spirit of
entrepreneurship within them, one that transcends generations.

Enhancing
The Local Economy Through Collaboration

While collaboration
with local businesses and organisations is on the horizon, the potential for
collective growth looks promising. Visa’s efforts to foster collaboration among
women entrepreneurs and local stakeholders are poised to amplify the impact of
businesses like Suma’s, creating a network of support and opportunities for
sustainable growth. Visa goes beyond transactional business; it’s dismantling
gender barriers in small towns and empowering women in Tier II and III areas to
achieve financial inclusion.

Cultivating
Entrepreneurial Drive Through Visa’s Mentorship And Empowerment Initiative

Shankutala and Suma
actively engage with other women in their communities, sharing their
experiences and connecting them with self-help organisations to nurture
independence. Through Shankutala and Suma’s success stories, fellow women have
gained confidence in pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams.

As Shankutala puts
it, “Prior to the launch of the Empowering Women Entrepreneurs (EWE)
Program, the village women were initially skeptical, but after attending the
meeting and training, they obtained the Saksham kit from Visa and United Way
Mumbai.” The Saksham Kit, a comprehensive resource package, is designed to
empower women entrepreneurs, enrich their business and financial literacy
skills, and equip them with the necessary resources to start their businesses,
customised to their skill sets. This initiative has provided support to 800+ women with Saksham
Kits.

Fostering
Collaborations For Development: Catalysing Positive Change And Assessing
Impact

Shankutala and
Suma’s active participation in community-oriented projects, like the National
Rural Livelihoods Mission’s (NRLM) community investment fund, has inspired
fellow women to grasp available opportunities for empowerment, igniting a sense
of empowerment within them.

Through their
monthly market participation and engagement in fairs, Shankutala and Suma have
chipped away at gender barriers and become living examples of women’s
empowerment and equality.

Harnessing
Training And Mentorship: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs And Advancing Inclusive
Business Growth

Visa’s commitment
to upskilling women entrepreneurs has played a pivotal role in building more
inclusive and successful businesses. Suma shares her experience, stating,
“The guidance of UWM, particularly the Entrepreneurship-Development
Program (EDP) Training and diary management insights, has been pivotal,
steering my journey towards inclusive success.”

Continued
Efforts For Change: Future Plans

For this program,
which spans over three years, Visa pledged an impressive US$1 million to United
Way Mumbai (UWM) to empower women-owned and women-focused businesses. The
project is being implemented in over 240 villages and wards across four states,
Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, and Karnataka–far exceeding the initial
target of 170 such communities. The program aims to develop sustainable,
long-term skills, and entrepreneurial skills among participants and the project
as a whole.

With ongoing
support from Visa’s initiative, Shankutala and Suma plan to conduct needs
analysis within their communities, provide information about registration and
chosen employment, and receive further entrepreneurship development training.

As Shankutala
eloquently puts it, “Embrace the opportunities that lie within your grasp.
With determination, resilience, and the right support, your business can spark
a powerful wave of transformation in your community.” Visa’s support for
women-owned businesses is not only fostering brighter futures but also giving
them decision-making power, forging a path towards empowerment, one
entrepreneurial journey after another.